🔍

Portarlington

VIC 3223 • Rest of VIC

4,436
Population (2021)
$55,328
Median Household Income
24.93 km²
Area
$331/wk
Median Rent
CoastalRetiree-HavenBeachsidePeacefulRural
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About Portarlington

Portarlington is a coastal township on Victoria's Bellarine Peninsula, situated on the western shore of Port Phillip Bay within the City of Greater Geelong. Approximately 50 kilometres south of Geelong and around 100 kilometres from Melbourne's CBD, the suburb covers nearly 25 square kilometres and has a population of 4,436. With a median age of 62, Portarlington is strongly characterised by retirees and sea-changers who have relocated from Melbourne or Geelong for a quieter coastal lifestyle.

The town is known for its mussel aquaculture industry and relaxed bayside atmosphere, with sweeping views across Port Phillip Bay and easy access to the beach. A Woolworths supermarket serves day-to-day needs alongside small shops and cafes in the town centre. The surrounding Bellarine Peninsula offers wineries, farms, and cycling trails within a short drive, and a seasonal ferry service to Melbourne adds to the area's appeal for holiday-makers and permanent residents alike.

Portarlington falls under postcode 3223 and is governed by the Greater Geelong Council (Local Government Area). For federal elections, residents vote in the electorate of Corangamite, while state elections fall under the Bellarine (Western Victoria) electorate.

📍 Location

State
Victoria
Postcode
3223
Urban Area
N/A
LGA / Council
Greater Geelong
Federal Electorate
Corangamite
State Electorate
Bellarine (Western Victoria)
Type
Rural
Timezone
Melbourne (UTC+10)
Coordinates
-38.14°, 144.66°
Statistical Area
Rest of VIC
Area
24.93 km²
Population Density
178 /km²
Elevation
34m

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🏷️ Property Prices June quarter 2025

Median sale prices in Portarlington for the June quarter 2025. Median sale prices published by the Valuer-General Victoria.

🏡House
$890K
21 sales · ▲ 1.3% YoY

Source: Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report. Medians are for the latest quarter; the change shown is the official 12-month movement. Suburbs with very few sales in a quarter can be volatile.

💰 Income

ATO taxable income Postcode 3223

Median taxable income for individual taxpayers in postcode 3223, comparing the 2019–20 and 2023–24 financial years.

Median 2019–20
$39,122
Median 2023–24
$47,119
▲ 20.4% increase
Average taxable income (2023–24)
$63,006

Source: ATO Taxation Statistics 2023–24, Individuals Table 8 (median & average taxable income by postcode). Covers all individuals who lodged a return in postcode 3223; postcodes with fewer than 200 lodgments are suppressed by the ATO.

Census personal income 2016 vs 2021

Personal Income 2016
$25,532
Personal Income 2021
$29,900
▲ 17.1% increase

Personal Income Comparison (2016 vs 2021)

2021 Census income breakdown

Personal = median for one earner. Household = all members of a dwelling pooled. Family = related members only. Annual = weekly × 52.

Personal
$29,900 / yr
$575/wk
Household
$55,328 / yr
$1064/wk
Family
$72,280 / yr
$1390/wk
💰 Income: ABS Census 2021

🏠 Housing 2021 Census

Median Rent (weekly)
$331
Median Mortgage (monthly)
$1,657
Avg Household Size
2 people
Median Age
62 years
Social Housing (% of dwellings)
0.5%

0 state housing + 10 community housing dwellings (ABS 2021 Census)

🚌 Transport & Commute

Bus Services

  • Route 57, 58 — Geelong CBD via Bellarine Peninsula towns 40-60 min

Commute to Melbourne CBD

Distance
100 km
By Train
No direct rail; bus to Geelong then V/Line (~75 min total). Port Phillip Ferry direct to Docklands 75 min
By Car (Peak)
85-105 min
By Car (Off-Peak)
70-85 min

🛣️ Port Phillip Ferries provide a direct seasonal ferry service to Melbourne Docklands. Bellarine Highway connects to Geelong and Princes Freeway.

Walkability Somewhat Walkable

Village centre and beach are walkable; a car or bus needed for major shopping in Geelong.

🛒 Supermarkets Nearby

  • Woolworths
    Brown Street Portarlington 3223 VIC

🎓 Schools

👥 Demographics

Census 2016
3,619
Census 2021
4,436
▲ 22.6% growth

Population Growth

Gender Distribution (Census 2021)

📊 Population: ABS Census 2021

🎓 Educational Institution Attending 2021 Census

School Sector Breakdown

🚔 Crime Statistics LGA-wide

These are the latest rates for the Greater Geelong Local Government Area, which contains Portarlington. Rates are per 100,000 residents for the year ending September 2025; trends compare 2 and 10 year periods.

Break & enter (dwelling)
357.1 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 56.6%
Motor vehicle theft
236.5 / 100k
2yr Up 57.4% 10yr Down 43.2%
Non-FV assault
291.6 / 100k
2yr Up 10.1% 10yr Up 20.2%
Robbery (unarmed)
1.4 / 100k
2yr Down 65.3% 10yr Down 53.8%
Steal from vehicle
772.7 / 100k
2yr Stable 10yr Down 42.4%
View all offence subgroups for Greater Geelong →

Source: Crime Statistics Agency Victoria

🌍 Country of Birth 2021 Census

Born in Australia 3,310
Born Overseas 745

Top Countries of Birth (excl. Australia)

  • 1. England 228
  • 2. New Zealand 74
  • 3. Malta 67
  • 4. Italy 35
  • 5. Greece 32
  • 6. Germany 26
  • 7. Scotland 23
  • 8. Croatia 18
  • 9. Netherlands 17
  • 10. United States 16

🧬 Ancestry 2021 Census

Top ancestries reported (people may report up to two)

English 1,873
Australian 1,410
Irish 696
Scottish 585
Italian 207
Maltese 153
German 133
Greek 88
Dutch 75
Croatian 50

👨‍👩‍👧 Parents' Birthplace

2,557
Both parents born in Australia
1,001
Both parents born overseas
442
One parent AU, one overseas

🛐 Religion 2021 Census

Christianity
50.8%
No Religion
37.4%
Buddhism
0.6%
Islam
0.1%
Hinduism
0.1%

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📊 Age Distribution 2021 Census

0-4 years
107 (2.4%)
5-14 years
314 (7.1%)
15-19 years
141 (3.2%)
20-24 years
126 (2.8%)
25-34 years
233 (5.3%)
35-44 years
319 (7.2%)
45-54 years
460 (10.4%)
55-64 years
793 (17.9%)
65-74 years
1,091 (24.6%)
75-84 years
641 (14.4%)
85+ years
202 (4.6%)

Nearby Suburbs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Portarlington known for? +

Portarlington is known for its mussel and oyster farms, the Port Phillip Ferry service connecting directly to Melbourne Docklands, and a charming bayside village character on the western shore of the Bellarine Peninsula. It has a relaxed, community-oriented lifestyle.

How far is Portarlington from Melbourne? +

Portarlington is approximately 100 kilometres south-west of Melbourne CBD. The Port Phillip Ferry takes approximately 75 minutes direct to Melbourne Docklands, while driving takes 85-105 minutes via the Princes Freeway.

Does Portarlington have public transport? +

Portarlington is served by bus routes to Geelong (40-60 minutes) and the Port Phillip Ferry to Melbourne Docklands (seasonal service, approximately 75 minutes). There is no train service to the town.

What is the population of Portarlington? +

According to the 2021 Census, Portarlington has a population of approximately 4,436 residents, growing steadily as the Bellarine Peninsula attracts sea-change and tree-change residents from Melbourne and Geelong.

Is Portarlington a good place to live? +

Portarlington is excellent for those seeking a bayside lifestyle with ferry or road access to Melbourne, fresh local seafood, and a relaxed village atmosphere. It suits retirees, families, and remote workers who value the Bellarine Peninsula's coastal character.

What is the postcode for Portarlington? +

The postcode for Portarlington is 3223.

What is the average income in Portarlington? +

Based on the 2021 Census, the median personal income in Portarlington is about $575 per week (around $29,900 per year). The median household income is $1,064 per week and the median family income is $1,390 per week.

What is the median house price in Portarlington? +

As of June quarter 2025, the median house price is $890,000, up 1.3% year-on-year. Figures are based on Valuer-General Victoria — Victorian Property Sales Report.

What is the age profile of Portarlington? +

The median age in Portarlington is 62. The largest age group is 65–74 (1,091 residents, around 25%). Around 13% of residents are under 20 and about 44% are aged 65 or older. (2021 Census)

Is Portarlington a safe area? +

Crime statistics are recorded at the Local Government Area level. Portarlington is part of the Greater Geelong LGA — see the Crime Statistics section on this page for the latest recorded offence rates per 100,000 residents, along with 2-year and 10-year trends.

How much is rent in Portarlington? +

In Portarlington, the median weekly rent is $331, and the median monthly mortgage repayment is $1,657 (2021 Census).